Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned Meta’s decision to discontinue its fact-checking program in the United States, calling it a grave issue. Speaking in Brasília on Thursday, Lula emphasised the need for accountability in digital communication, equating its responsibilities to those of traditional media. He announced plans to meet with government officials to discuss the matter.
Meta’s recent decision has prompted Brazilian prosecutors to seek clarification on whether the changes will affect the country. The company has been given 30 days to respond as part of an ongoing investigation into how social media platforms address misinformation and online violence in Brazil.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes of Brazil’s Supreme Court, known for his strict oversight of tech companies, reiterated that social media firms must adhere to Brazilian laws to continue operating in the country. Last year, he temporarily suspended X (formerly Twitter) over non-compliance with local regulations.
Meta has so far declined to comment on the matter in Brazil, fueling concerns over its commitment to tackling misinformation globally. The outcome of Brazil’s inquiry could have broader implications for how tech firms balance local laws with global policy changes.
Dragos and Singapore’s Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) are collaborating to enhance cybersecurity capabilities through a strategic partnership focusing on planning, training, and exchanging information about cyber threats. The agreement, announced during the Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) 2024, aims to fortify the defence of Singapore’s critical infrastructure and increase its resilience to cyber attacks.
The partnership builds on Dragos’s long-standing collaboration with Singapore, including a previous agreement in August 2023 with the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) to improve operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. DIS emphasised the importance of expanding cybersecurity partnerships across sectors, while Dragos commended Singapore’s proactive approach to cybersecurity as an example for other nations to follow.
That partnership underscores the shared commitment of both parties to secure critical infrastructure amid an evolving cyber threat landscape. By leveraging their expertise, Dragos and DIS aim to provide Singapore with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate emerging challenges, ensuring the protection of its infrastructure and citizens.
Hong Kong is advancing its digital economy and smart city initiatives, striving to become a global leader in digital transformation. To support this vision, the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT) and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) have partnered to enhance digital literacy, strengthen cybersecurity, and promote digital transformation in public and government sectors.
The collaboration focuses on specialised training programs covering emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and data analytics to equip public sector employees and industry professionals with critical skills. Practical exercises like real-world cybersecurity simulations aim to improve awareness and resilience against cyber threats. Additionally, data literacy training is prioritised to help public employees utilise data for decision-making and service improvement, aligning with Hong Kong’s goals of innovation and efficiency.
Beyond training, community events like competitions and seminars promote digital awareness, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. The initiative builds on prior efforts, such as the ‘Cyber Security Drill 2024’ and certification programs, while future plans aim to expand its reach across more government departments and organisations.
The Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong’s largest provider of vocational and professional education, plays a key role in these efforts by supporting the city’s innovation agenda and equipping individuals with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Through partnerships like the one with OGCIO, VTC institutions such as HKIIT contribute to strengthening the city’s workforce and ensuring its readiness for the challenges of digital transformation.
British universities are increasingly distancing themselves from Elon Musk’s X platform, citing its role in spreading misinformation and inciting racial unrest. A Reuters survey found that several institutions have stopped posting or significantly reduced their activity, joining a broader exodus of academics and public bodies. Concerns over falling engagement, violent content, and the platform’s perceived toxicity have driven the shift.
The University of Cambridge has seen at least seven of its colleges stop posting, while Oxford’s Merton College has deleted its account entirely. Institutions such as the University of East Anglia and London Metropolitan University report dwindling engagement, while arts conservatoires like Trinity Lab and the Royal Northern College of Music are focusing their communication efforts elsewhere. Some universities, including Buckinghamshire New University, have publicly stated that X is no longer a suitable space for meaningful discussion.
The retreat from X follows similar moves by British police forces, reflecting growing unease among public institutions. Despite the trend, some universities continue to maintain a presence on the platform, though many are actively exploring alternatives. X did not respond to requests for comment on the issue.
AT&T has introduced a new initiative offering bill credits to customers affected by network outages, aiming to rebuild trust after a series of major service disruptions in 2024. The scheme, called AT&T Guarantee, will provide automatic credits to fibre customers experiencing outages of 20 minutes or more and wireless users facing at least an hour of disruption. The move follows a nationwide service failure last February, which lasted over 12 hours and blocked millions of calls, including thousands of emergency calls to 911.
The telecom industry has faced growing scrutiny over the reliability of its networks, with rivals such as T-Mobile and Verizon also experiencing significant outages. AT&T executives acknowledged that customer dissatisfaction had led to market share losses in recent years. In response, the company has invested over $140 billion in network improvements and nearly $1 billion in customer care and operations. The new guarantee is part of a broader effort to ensure dependable connectivity and restore consumer confidence.
Despite previous challenges, AT&T has maintained strong performance in customer satisfaction rankings, topping J.D. Power’s survey for business wireless service among large enterprises for three consecutive years until 2023. The company believes the new initiative will strengthen its position in the market by demonstrating a commitment to service reliability and customer compensation when expectations are not met.
A hacker claims to have breached US location tracking company Gravy Analytics, leaking around 1.4 gigabytes of data. The allegation, shared on a Russian-language cybercriminal forum, included screenshots suggesting a data theft. Verification attempts were complicated as Gravy’s website remained offline and the company did not respond to messages.
Cybersecurity experts reviewing the leaked data found the breach credible. Marley Smith from RedSense and John Hammond from Huntress both confirmed the data appeared legitimate, though the hacker’s identity remains unclear.
The FTC expressed concerns that such data could be misused for stalking, blackmail, and espionage but declined to comment on the breach. FTC Chair Lina Khan recently warned that targeted advertising practices leave sensitive data highly vulnerable.
In a landmark decision, the EU General Court ruled on Wednesday that the European Commission must pay €400 ($412) in damages to a German citizen for violating data protection laws. The case marks the first time the Commission has been held liable for failing to comply with its data regulations.
The court found that the Commission improperly transferred the citizen’s personal data, including an IP address, to Meta Platforms in the United States without adequate safeguards. The breach occurred when the individual used the ‘Sign in with Facebook’ option on the EU login webpage to register for a conference.
The Commission acknowledged the ruling, stating it would review the judgment and its implications. The decision underscores the robust enforcement of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has led to significant penalties against major firms like Meta, LinkedIn, and Klarna for non-compliance.
Apple has clarified that it has never sold data collected by its Siri voice assistant or used it to create marketing profiles. The statement, issued Wednesday, follows a $95 million settlement last week to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that Siri had inadvertently recorded private conversations and shared them with third parties, including advertisers. Apple denied the claims and admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement, which could result in payouts of up to $20 per Siri-enabled device for millions of affected customers.
The controversy stemmed from claims that Siri sometimes activated unintentionally, recording sensitive interactions. Apple emphasised in its statement that Siri data is used minimally and only for real-time server input when necessary, with no retention of audio recordings unless users explicitly opt-in. Even in such cases, the recordings are solely used to improve Siri’s functionality. Apple reaffirmed its commitment to privacy, stating, ‘Apple has never used Siri data to build marketing profiles, never made it available for advertising, and never sold it to anyone.’
This case has drawn attention alongside a similar lawsuit targeting Google’s Voice Assistant, currently pending in federal court in San Jose, California. Both lawsuits are spearheaded by the same legal teams, highlighting growing scrutiny over how tech companies handle voice assistant data.
Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes reiterated on Wednesday that technology companies must comply with national laws to continue operating in the country. His statement followed Meta’s recent announcement to scale back its US fact-checking program, raising concerns about its impact on Brazil.
Speaking at an event marking the anniversary of anti-institution riots, Moraes emphasised that the court would not tolerate the use of hate speech for profit. Last year, he ordered the suspension of social media platform X for over a month due to its failure to moderate hate speech, a decision later upheld by the court. X owner Elon Musk criticised the move as censorship but ultimately complied with court demands to restore the platform’s services in Brazil.
Brazilian prosecutors have also asked Meta to clarify whether its US fact-checking changes will apply in Brazil, citing an ongoing investigation into social media platforms’ efforts to combat misinformation and violence. Meta has been given 30 days to respond but declined to comment through its local office.
A new app designed to help children aged seven to twelve manage anxiety through gaming is being launched in Lincolnshire, UK. The app, called Lumi Nova, combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques with personalised quests to gently expose children to their fears in a safe and interactive way.
The digital game has been created by BFB Labs, a social enterprise focused on digital therapy, in collaboration with children, parents, and mental health experts. The app aims to make mental health support more accessible, particularly in rural areas, where traditional services may be harder to reach.
Families in Lincolnshire can download the app for free without needing a prescription or referral. Councillor Patricia Bradwell from Lincolnshire County Council highlighted the importance of flexible mental health services, saying: ‘We want to ensure children and young people have easy access to support that suits their needs.’
By using immersive videos and creative tasks, Lumi Nova allows children to confront their worries at their own pace from the comfort of home, making mental health care more engaging and approachable. The year-long pilot aims to assess the app’s impact on childhood anxiety in the region.
